The News Media and The Law, Spring 2002

Editorial

 

Enough of the P-word

Cover Story

 

Lost in Cyberspace

 

 

Web sites can expose publishers to lawsuits in other states, countries

 

Proposed policy on court records threatens public access rights

 

Model policy objections

 

Officials put up roadblocks to e-mail message access

 

Internet sex offender registries prompt high court to look into openness issues

 

Moving to the Internet, Megan's laws lists find trouble

Newsgathering

 

Abduction, death of Pearl sparks concern about CIA agents impersonating journalists

 

Pentagon restraints continue to stymie press

 

Reporter charged for failure to notify fire officials of spill

 

Journalists continue to face gag orders, other difficulties in covering crime, politics

Content Regulation

 

Journalists' efforts to roll cameras into courtrooms get mixed results

 

Court strikes down character provision in low-power radio case

 

Judge invalidates rules for public access station

 

FCC commissioner condemns indecency on nation's airwaves

 

NBC halts liquor ad plan

 

 

From the hotline

 

Federal Legislative Update

Libel

 

Supermodel's privacy victory in England would have ended differently in the U.S.

 

ABC wins defamation suit; "PrimeTime Live" comments about heart doctor were opinion, not fact

 

Two publications fare well in libel appeals, but Boston Globe hit with $2.1 million verdict

 

Texas television station settles federal wiretapping lawsuit

Freedom of Information

 

Open-government advocates continue struggle for information after September 11

 

States scurry to pass antiterrorism measures as legislatures adjourn

 

Lawsuits demand Cheney disclose task force details

 

Justices consider FERPA in student's privacy claim

 

Historians, journalists continue records lawsuit even as Reagan documents become available

 

Dozens of Reagan records due for release, stay sealed

 

Privacy victory for female Naval aviator scores openness loss for access advocates

 

Wyoming sheriff forced to release suicide report

Reporter's Privilege

 

Reporters fight subpoenas for testimony, notes

 

High court declines to hear book author's appeal

 

Kansas Legislature dodges vote to approve reporter's shield law

Secret Courts

 

California, Massachusetts courts nix Son of Sam laws

 

Feds release transcripts of immigration hearings

 

 

Open & Shut

 

Sources & Citations